Planning permission and building regulations approval serve different purposes. Some work can be self-certified by a registered competent person. Keep the evidence for the route actually used.
Check whether the work needs approval
Describe the actual alteration and intended use to the relevant building control body.
- Identify structural alterations, extensions, conversions, controlled services and changes affecting fire or energy performance.
- Check planning permission, listed-building consent, lease restrictions and party-wall issues separately where relevant. Building approval does not answer all of them.
- Establish whether the building falls into the higher-risk regime and whether the Building Safety Regulator is the relevant authority.
Plan design, notification and inspection
Agree the route and required information before the contractor starts.
- Keep drawings, specifications, structural calculations and the responsibilities of the client, designers and contractors clear.
- Confirm inspection stages and notice requirements. Arrange access before foundations, structure, insulation or drainage are covered.
- Check which work can use an applicable competent-person scheme and retain the correct compliance documentation. A trade qualification alone does not establish scheme notification.
Complete and preserve the file
The contractor finishing on site is not the final approval record.
- Resolve inspection issues, submit required declarations or information and obtain the appropriate completion evidence.
- Collect commissioning, electrical, gas and other specialist documents for the actual work. Match certificates to the property and installation.
- If approval was missed, ask the local authority about the appropriate route and its limits before marketing the altered accommodation as approved.
Example: removing a wall seems straightforward
A fictional contractor says an internal wall can be removed in a day. First establish whether it supports loads or affects escape, fire separation or services. Obtain the necessary design and approval before demolition, not after a beam has been installed.
What to do
- Describe the work and identify the proper approval route.
- Check planning, listed-building and lease restrictions separately.
- Obtain inspections and completion or compliance certificates.
Evidence to keep
- Plans, approval and inspections
- Completion or competent-person certificate
Sources and guidance
- Building regulations approvalUK Government · checked 20 October 2026
Related guides
- Check asbestos before disturbing building materials
- Identify the higher-risk building route in England
- Manage your responsibilities when commissioning works
- Check the address, occupation and proposed works with the council
- Make a broken window or insecure door safe
- Assess fall risks at windows, stairs and balconies